Single Idea 22694

[catalogued under 21. Aesthetics / C. Artistic Issues / 7. Art and Morality]

Full Idea

Our responses to literature should show that we grasp whatever counts as morally important within the narrative, but not necessarily that we judge and feel in the way deemed appropriate by the work.

Gist of Idea

We should understand what is morally important in a story, without having to endorse it

Source

Eileen John (Artistic Value and Opportunistic Moralism [2006], 'Accommodating')

Book Reference

'Aesthetics and the Phil of Art (debates)', ed/tr. Kieran,Matthew [Blackwell 2004], p.338


A Reaction

She gives as an example a story by Hemingway which places a high value on the courageous hunting of big game. A second example is the total amorality of a Highsmith novel. This idea seems exactly right to me.